Hoisting apparatus



arch 7, 15944. ESBQCK HoIsTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1943 5Sheets-Sheet l Mafch 7 w44. G. E. BooK l' 29343533 HOISTING AFPARATUSFiled Feb. 12, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mil Patented ar. 1i, i944 HOISTENGl George E. Bock, Chicago, lll., assigner to Whiting Corporation,Harvey, Ill., a corporation ot lllinois Application February 12, 1943,Serial No. di

13 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to hoisting apparatus. Moreparticularly the invention relates to that type-of hoisting apparatuswhich has special utility in a vehicle wherein the maintenance oflateral stability is of prime importance and serves as a medium forhandling or shifting cargo from one location to another.

One object of the invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus of thistype which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over,previously designed apparatus for the same purpose, and is characterizedby the fact that it is extremely ecient in operation, and is so designedand constructed that the cargo may be handled symmetrically in, andwithout affecting or disturbing lateral stability of, the vehicle withwhich the apparatus is associated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus ofthe type under considera kfrom. one another in connection with cargohandling operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide inconnection with ahoisting apparatus of the type and character last mentioned, latches atthe ends of the track for releasably locking the wheel equipped trucksafter they are conjointly shifted outwards to their fullest extent,latches adjacent the central portion ofv the track for releasablylocking the trucks upon conjoint inward shift thereof, latches forreleasably locking the blocks to the trucks when they are raised totheir fullest extent. and a single cable system which is so arranged anddesigned that it is operative- (1) to lower or raise the blocksconjointly after the trucks are locked in place and the latches forlocking the blocks to the trucks are released, (2) to shift the trucksconjointl'y inwards after the blocks are locked to the s Aand thelatches at the ends of the track are released. and (3) to shift thetrucks conjointly outwards along the track after the blocks are lockedto the trucks and the latches adjacent the inner portion of the trackare released.

A further object or the invention is to provid a hoisting apparatus ofthe aforementioned type and character in which the inner truck-latches,i. e., the latches adjacent the central portion of the track, areadjustable longitudinally of the track to and from one another.

A still further object of the invention is to pronew and improvedconstruction and in which high efficiency is combined with simplicityand compactness of design. i

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages andcharacteristics of the present hoisting apparatus will be apparent froma con- 'sideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which arehereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at theconclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specication ordisclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denotecorresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a transverse section through the Wing and huil of a flyingboat having applied thereto a hoisting apparatus embodying the invention, illustrating the arrangement and design of the apparatus andshowingv the manner in which the trucks are adapted to move loads, suchas bombs, from :he hull into the inner portions of the outboard wingsections of the ying boat for discharge through the usual door-closedhatches;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the left hand end of thetrack and the truck that is associated therewith;

Figure 3 is a side view of the truck on the left hand'end ofthe track,parts being broken away and other parts being shown in section in orderto illustrate the construction and design of the releasable block latchand vthe releasabie truck latch at the outer extremity of the left handend of the track;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line. -t of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view of the right hand end ofthe trackand the block equipped truck that is associated therewith;

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 5 6 ofFigure 2 and illustrating the 4construction and design of the adjustablelatches for locking the trucks at the end of conjoint connection with,and :as forming a part of, a flying boat B and serves as a medium forshifting cargo, such, for example, as bombs, from one location toanother in the dying boat. The flying boat is illustrateddiagrammatioally in Figure 1 of the drawings and represents one .ftypeof vehicle with which .the improved hoisting' apparatus is especiallyadapted for use. It is of conventional desi-gn or construction andcomprises a hull b and a wing b1 at the upper portion of the hull. 'I'hehull is adapted to ioat on water when the boat is not in nigh-t. Itembodies at the tail end thereof an empennage (not shown) and has in itscentral poiiton a storage space b2 for bombs or other cargo. The Wing b1serves as the main or primary'supporting surface for the flying boat andembodies a pair of outboard sec.- tions which project in oppositedirections from the upper portion ofthe hull b. The inner,

lower portions of the outboard sections of the wing are provided withdoor-closed hatches b3. The latter make it possible to load the flyingboat with bombs and also permit the bombs to be dropped. Engine drivenpropellers b* are associated with the wing b1 and provide the propulsionmeans for the ilying boat B. The hoisting apparatus is brought into playin connection with loading of the ying boat with bombs or like cargo,and is adapted to raise the bombs through the hatches b3 into fthe innerportions of the outboard wing sections, then move the bombs into theupper portion of thev storage space b2 and then lower the bombs into thestonage space lz2 in the hull for storage purposes. It is also adaptedin connection with discharge of the bombs from the flying boat toraisethe bombs to the upper portion of the storage space b2, then shiftthe bombs outwards through 'the outboard sections of the wing into adischarge position wherein they overlie the hatches b3. In a ilying boatof the type herein disclosed rthe bombs are retained in the stonagecompartment b2 in the hull b until shortly before the flying boatapproaches its objective or target. Thereafter the bombs are manipulatedby the hoisting apparatus into their discharge position wherein they aredisposed over thevhatches b3 in readiness to be released upon opening ofthe doors for the hatches.

designed and constructed that it permits the bombs to be loaded into thehull and shifted from the hull into their discharge position in theinner portions of .the outboard wing sections without disturbi-ng oraiecting lateral stability of the flying boat.

As its main parts the hoisting apparatus comprises an overhead track 8and a pair o1' trucks 9 and I8. 'I'he track extends transversely of theflying boat B and is arranged so :that the central portion thereofextends across 'the upper portion of the storage-space b2 and :its endsproject into the inner portions of the outboard wing sections Ashereinafter described, the hoistingl apparatus is so' vated to itsfullest extent. This latch is disto points slightly outwards or beyond:the doorclosed hatches b3. The ends of the track project equaldistances into the inner portions of the outboard wing sections, asshown in Figure 1. The track consists ofa pair of parallel, laterallyspaced channel beams II and I2. The beamv II is located in front of :thebeam I2 and is arranged so' that -the flanges thereof project forwards.The rear beam, that is, the beam I2, is arranged so that its flangesproject rearwards. The track 8 is supported by way of hangers I 3 whichare suitably attached to, and depend from, the inner upper portions ofthe outboard sections of the wing b1. The truck 9 is associated with.and adapted to travel along, the left hand end of the track 8, as viewedin Figures 1 and '2, and the truck I0 is associated with, and adapted toKtravel along, the right hand end of #the track. As described hereafter,the two trucks are conjointly shiftable to and from one another.

The truck 9 comprises a pair of parallel, laterally spaced plates I4 andhas'a hoist block I5 associated with it. The plates I4 are' suitablycross connected and straddle the track 8. In addition -to the plates I4the truck 9 comprises four wheels I6. The latter are mounted on inwardlyextending stub axles I1 on the upper corners of the truck plates I4 andare arranged to travel along the lower flanges of the channel beamsconstituting track 8. The block I5 is disposed beneath the truck 9. Itis movable vertically to and from the truck, as hereinafter describedand comprises a frame I8 and a vertically extending sheave I9. The framesurrounds the sheave and carries a stub axle 20 for rotatably supportingthe sheave. 'Ihe lower portion of the frame I8 of the block I5 isprovided with a depending hook 2| for attachment to the bomb or otherload to be handled. The upper portion of the frame embodies anupstanding shank 22 having a. large conoidal head 23 at its `upper end.A latch 24 on the truck 9 serves releasably to lock the block I5 to thetruck when it is raised or ele- Dosed between the plates I4 of the truck9 and comprises a pair of crossed upstanding levers 25. A pivot pin 26extends through holes in the central portion of the levers 25 and`serves to support the levers so that they are free to swing to and fromone another. The lower ends ofthe levers are provided with inwardlyextending hooks 21 and these are adapted to snap into hopked relationwith the conoidal head 23 on the upper portion of the frame of the blockI5 when the block is raised or elevated to a. point wherein it isdisposed adjacent the truck 9. The latch 24 is released by way of a.solenoid 28. The latter is disposed between the central upper portionsof the plates I4 of the truck 9 and comprises a vertically extendinghelix or coil 29 and a vertically vslidable armature 30. I'he upper endof the armature ts within the coil 29. The lower end of the armature isoperatively. connected to the. upper ends of the levers 25 by way oi' apair of i helix o coil 29 the armature is retracted upwards and operatesthrough the medium o-f the links 3I to swing apart the levers 25 andthus release the latch 24. A compression spring 34 surrounds the lowerend of the armature 30 and serves toswireg the latch levers 25 towardone another into their operative position when the solenoid 28 isdcenergized. 'The upper end lof the spring abut-s against the bottomportion of the container for the solenoid coil 29 and the lower end ofthe spring engages the inner ends ofthe links 8|. When the block I5 lsraised to its fullest extent the conoidal head 23 moves into engagementwith the hooks 21 and th'en passes upwards beyond the hooks. Duringmovement of the head past the hooks the levers are swung apart. As soonas the head passes the hooks the levers, in response to the action ofthe compression spring 34, swing inwards into a position wherein thehooks are in hooked or locked relation with the head (see Figure 3).When it is desired to release the latch in order to permit lowering ofthe block the solenoid 28 is energized.

A latch serves releasably to lock the truck 8 when it is shiftedoutwards to its fullest extent. This latch coacts with a rearwardlyextending lug 36 on the central upper portion of the rear side plate ofthe truck 9 and is suitably supported from above so that it ispositioned rearwards and slightlyvinwards of the left hand extremity ofthe track 8. It is supported separately from the track and comprises abox-like housing 31, and a vertically slidable latch bolt 38. The.housing embodies on the under side thereof a depending stop lug 39.This lug coacts with the lug 36 on the truck 3 to limit outward movementof the truck. The truck when shifted outwards to its fullest extent isbrought to rest when the lug 36 thereon engages or abuts against the lug33 on the underside of the latch housing 31. The latch bolt 36 ismounted for vertical sliding movement in a bore 48 in the latch housing31 and is positioned in opposed relation with the lug 38. It ispositioned from the lug 39 a distance slightly greater than the width ofthe lug 36 on the truck 8 and has a beveled or cam type bottom face al.When the truck 9 is shifted outwards the lug 36, directly before itabuts against the stop lug 38, engages the bottom face 3l of the latchbolt 38 and forces the latch bolt upwards. As soon as the lug V36 passesthe bolt 38 the latter snaps downwards intoa truck locking position inresponse to the action of a. compression spring 82. The latter islocated in the bore 48 and surrounds an upstanding stem 63 at the upperend of the latch bolt 38. The lower end of the spring 42 abuts againstthe upper face of the latch bolt 38 and the upper end of the springabuts against a shoulder 48 at the upper end of the bore 80. A solenoid85 serves to release the latch when it is desired to shift the truck 9inwards along the left hand end of the track 8. 'This solenoid ismounted in the housing 31 and comprises a helix or coil 46 and avertically slidable armature 41. The upper end of the armature isoperatively connected to the upper end of the stem 43 by Way of a lever48 in the upper portion of the latch housing 31. This lever is centrallyfulcrumed on to the upper end of the armature 41 by way of a pin andslot connection 58. The other end of the lever-is connected to the upperend of the stem 83 by way of a pin and slot connection 5l.

. gized, as hereinbefore described.

- a pivot pin 49 and has one end thereof connected When the solenoid B5is energized by supplying electric current to the helix or coil 46 thearmature 41 is retracted downwards and operates 'through the medium ofthe centrally fulcrumed lever 48 to raise the latch bolt 38 out ofengagement with the lug 36; When the latch bolt 38 is raised orretracted into a position wherein it is in disengaging relation with thelug 36 the truck 3 is freed or released and hence may be shifted wardsofthe central portion of the track 8 and comprises a housing 53 and avertically slidable latch bolt 54. The housing is provided with avertical bore 55 in which the latch bolt 54l is mounted for verticalsliding movement. It also embodies a depending lug 56 and this lugi'orms an abutment or stop for the truck lug 36 after such lug passesthe latch bolt 54. The lug 56 and the latch bolt 5I are spaced apart adistance slightly greater than the width of the truck lug 35. The latchbolt has a beveled or cam type bottom face 51 and is urged downwardsinto its operative or truck locking position by way of a. compressionspring 58 which is mounted in the bore 55 and surrounds an upstandingstem 58 on the upper end of the latch bolt 5l. AThe latch the stem 58.When the solenoid 68 is energized by supplying current to the coil 5Ithe armature 62 is retracted downwards and operates throughthe medium ofthe lever 63 to raise the latch bolt 56 out of engagement with the trucklug 36. When the truck 8 is shifted inwards along the left hand end ofthe track 8 into the upper portion of the storage space b2 the lug 36passes under the latch bolt 54 and then moves into abutment with the toplug 56 on the bottom of the latch housing 53. During passage of the lug36 past the latch bolt 5l'the latch bolt is raised against the force ofthe compression spring 58 by the camxning action which is produced bythe beveled or cam type bottom face 51 of the bolt. After the lug 36passes the latch bolt and strikes the stop lug 56 the spring 58 forcesthe latch bolt downwards into its truck locking position. Whenk it isdesired to release the latch 52 so as to free the truck 9 for outwardtravel along the left hand end of the track 8 the solenoid 68 is ener-In order to permit spotting of the bombs or other cargo in the storagespace b2 the latch 53 is mounted so that it is adjustable lengthwise ofythe track 8. The adjustable mount for the latch 52 comprises ahorizontal rod 65. This rod extends through a horizontal bore 66 in theupper'portion of the latch housing 53. It is 'disposed in parallelrelation with the track 8 and is supported at the ends thereof by way of4a pair of brackets 61 which depend from the ceiling of the storagespace b2. Adjustment of the latch is effected by way o f a screw shaft68. This shaft is located rearwards of, and in parallel relation with,the

central portion of the track 8 and is rotatably supported by way of apair of bearing brackets 69. The latter are connected to, and projectrearwards from, the central portion of the track beam l2`and are appliedto the central portionV of the screw shaft 68. The left hand end of theshaft 68 is provided'with a screw thread 18 and extends ythrough aninternally threaded bore in a laterally extending lug 1l on the latchhousing 53.

The screw shaftA 68 s held against longitudinal displacement by way ofcollars 12 which are ixed tothe shaft and abut against the inner ends ofthe bearing brackets ss. when the shaft es is rotated in one directionthe latch 52 is shifted outwards, that is, towards the left hand endoi.' the track 8. Reverse rotation of the shaft 58 results in inwardshift of the latch 52. Rotation of the' shaft 68 for the purpose ofadjusting the latch 52 is eected by way of a pulley 18 and an endlessflexible element 14. The pulley is flxedly secured to the centralportion of the screw shaft 68. The element 'N extends around the pulleyand depends therefrom. It is in the form of a loop and is preferablyformed of rope. By pulling on one side of the element 14 the screw shaft69 may be rotated in one direction. Reverse rotation of the shaft iseffected by pulling on the other side of the element 19.

The truck l is the same in design and construction as the truck 9 andcomprises a pair of parallel, laterally spaced side plates 15. It isconjointly movable to and from the truck 9, as hereinafter described,and has associated therewith a hoisting block 16. The side plates 15 ofthe truck are arranged in straddled relation with the right hand end ofthe track t3 and have inwardly extending stub axles 11 at their uppercorners. Wheels 19 are mounted on these stub axles and rest on, and areadapted to travelI along, the lower flanges of the track beams i i andi2. The hoisting block 16 is movable vertically to and from the truck i0and comprises a sheave 19 and a frame t6. spectively to the sheave andframe of the block i5. The frame 00 has a hook at the lower portionthereof for attachment to a bomb or other load and embodies at the top aconoidal head 8|. The latter is adapted to coact with a latch 82 to lockthe hoisting block 16 to the truck i0` when it is raised to its fullestextent. The latch 92 is disposed between the central portions of theside plates 15 of the truck i0 and is constructed correspondingly to,and functions like, the latch 24. A solenoid t3 is associated with thelatch 32 and serves to release the latter when it is desired to lowerthe hoisting block 1t. The solenoid 89 is in circuit with the solenoid28 so that the two latches 24 and 92 are releasable conjointly. A latch99 adjacent and rearwards of the right extremity of the track il coactswith a laterally extending lug d5 on the rear side platek The lattercorrespond reof the truck to lock the truck i0 when it is shiftedoutwards to its fullest extent. This latch is constructed in the samelmanner as, and functions like, the ,latch 95. It is released by way ofa solenoid 86 and is spaced from the right extremity of the track@ thesame distance that the latch is spaced from the left extremity of thetrack. The solenoid'i isin circuit with the solenoid :t5 in order thatthe two latches 35 and 80 are releasable conjointly. A latch 91 servesto lock the truck i0 when the latter is shifted inwards into the storagespace b2. This latch is the same construction as, and functions like,the latch 52 and has a solenoid 88 for releasing it. Such solenoid is incircuit with the solenoid 60 so that the latches 52 and 81 arereleasable conjointly. The latch 81 is mounted for adjustmentlongitudinally of the track 8 by way of a rod 89 and has at the rearthereof a laterally projecting lug 9G with a horizontal internallythreaded bore. The right hand end of the screw shaft 68 has a screwthread 8| and extends through the bore in the lug 90. The screw thread10 at the lefthand end of the screw shaft is a left hand thread and thescrew thread 9| is a right hand screw thread with the result thatturning or rotation of theI screw shaft 88 results in conjoint orsymmetrical adjustment of the latches 52 and 81. The two last mentionedlatches are spaced equidistantly from the mid point of the track 8.

In addition to the track 8 and the 'wheel equipped trucks 9 and I8 thehoisting apparatus comprises. a single cable system 92. This systemconsists of three cables 93, 94 and 95. It is controlled or actuated bya pair of coaxial drums 9S and 91 and operates to lower or raise theblocks l5 and 18 after the trucks are locked in place and the latchesfor locking the blocks to the trucks are released, to shift the trucksconjointly inwards after the blocks are locked to the trucks and thelatches 35 and 84 are released, and to shift the trucks conjointlyoutwards along the track ends after the blocksI are locked to thetrucksfand the latches 52 and 81 are released. The drums 96 and 91Vextend crosswise or transversely of the hull'b of the flying boat B andare mounted in the lower portion of the storage space b2 as shown inFigure 1. The drum 96 is driven in either direction by way of areversible electric motor 98. A speed reducing unit 99 is interposedbetween the armature shaft of the motor 99 and the supporting shaft forthe drum 96 and serves operatively to connect the drum for drive by themotor 98. 'I'he drum 91 is driven in either direction by means of anelectric motor |00, The latter is positioned in opposed relation withthe electric motor 98 for driving the drum 96 and is connected to thedrum 91 by way of a speed reducing unit |0i. The cable 93 of the system92 extends between the truck 9 and the drum 96. One end of the cable 93is wound aroundl and anchored to, the drum 96. 4Thecable 93 extendsupwards from the drum 96, then extendsiaround an idler sheave |02,directly beneath the central portion of the vtrack 8, then extendsoutwards under the left hand end of the track, then extends around asheave |03 between the inner, lower corners of the side plates |4 of thetruck 9, then extends downwards, then passes around the sheave i9 of thehoisting block y| 5, and then extends up wards to an anchor post |04between the lower, outer corners of theside plates of the truck 0. Theidler sheave |02 overlies the drum 96 and is supported by a bracket |05which is disposed beneath and suspended from the central portion of thetrack 8. The sheave |03 is horizontally aligned withv the idler Isheave|02 and is supported rotatably by way of a stub axle |00 on the truck 9.The cable 94 serves to connect the two trucks together for conjointinward and outward travel along the track ends. One end of the cable 94is anchored to a post |01. This post extends between, and is secured to,the outer central portions of the side plates I4 of the truck 9, Thecable 94 extends outwards .from the anchorpost |01, then passes half wayaround a sheave |08 between the left hand en ds of the track beams andI2, then extends lengthwise of the track. The other end of the cable isanchored to an upstanding lug |09 on the truck I0. Whenthe trucks 9 and|0l are at the ends of the track and the latches 35 and 84 are releasedin- Ward shift of the truck 9 results in the cable 94 shifting the truckl0 inwards. When the two trucks are adjacent the central portion of thetrack 8 and the latches 52 and 81 are released outward shift of thetruck I0 results in the cable 94 shifting the truck 9 outwards. Thecable 99 extends between the drum 91 land the truck I0. One end of thecable 95 is wound around, and anchored to, said drum 91. The cable 95extends upwards from the drum 91. then extends aroundA downwards, thenextends around the sheave 19 of the hoisting block 18, then extendsupwards. then extends around'a sheave II2 between the outer, lowercorners of the truck side plates 15. then extends outwards, then extendsaround a sheave H3 between the right hand ends of the track beams Il andl2 and then extends inwards to an anchor lug H4 on the upper portion ofthe truck lli. The idler sheave H is mounted on the bracket 95 inopposed relation with the idler sheave E92. The idler sheaves lll and H2are rotatably supported on stub axles on the truck I0 When the trucks 9and i0 are locked in place by the latches 35 and 85 or the latches 52and 81 and the latches 29 and 82lare released conjoint drive of thedrums 96 and 91 in such manner as to pay out the cables 93 and 95results in conjoint lowering of .the blocks l5 and 16. When the twodrums are oppositely driven so as to effect winding up of the cables 93and 95 the two blocks l5 and 16 are caused conjointly to raise. When theblocks l5 and 16 are dlocked to the trucks 9 and I9 by the latches 2dand 82 and the latches 35 and 89 are released while the trucks are atthe ends of the track 9 reverse or opposite drive of the drums 96 and 91so as to effect wind up of the cable y93 and pay out of the cable 95results in conjoint inward shift of the two trucks. When the two blocksI5 and 16 are locked to the trucks by the latches 29 and 82 and thelatches 52 and 91 are released while the trucks are adjacent the innerportion of the track reverse or opposite drive of the drums 95 and 91 soas to eect wind up of the cable 95 and pay out of the cable 93 resultsin conjoint outward shift of the two trucks.

The operation of the hoisting apparatus is as follows: When it isdesired to load cargo, such as bombs, into the storage space b2 inthehull b of the flying boat B the trucks 9 and lll are shifted outwardsuntil they are locked in place at the ends of the track 8 by the latches35 and 99, Thereafter the doors for the hatches b3 are opened and theblocks l5 and 16 are lowered through the two hatches. Lowering of theblocks is effected by releasing the latches 26 and 92 and driving thedrums 96 and 91 in such manner as to pay out the cables 93 and 95 of thecable system 92 When the blocks are lowered to the desired extent thebombs are attached to the blocks by the hooks on the lower portions ofthe block frames. After the bombs are attached to the blocks the blocksare raised until they become locked to the trucks 9 and l0 by thelatches 29 and 82. Raising of the blocks is eiected by conjointlydriving the drums 96 and 91 so as to eiect wind up of the cables 93 and95. After the blocks are locked to the two trucks the trucks are movedconjointly inwards until they are locked in place by the latches 52 and81. Conjoint inward shift of the two trucks is effected by releasing thelatches 35 and 96 and driving the two drums so that the drum winds ,upthe cable 93 and the ldruml 91 pays out the cable 95. After the trucks`,are locked in the upper portion of the storage space b2 by the latches52 and B1 the blocks are lowered until the bombs are brought to rest intheir proper place in the storage space b2. The bombs are generallyretained in the storage space until the fiying boat B reaches thevicinity of its objective ortarget. When it is desired to discharge thebombs the'blocks areattached to the bombs and are then hoisted untilthey become locked to the trucks by the latches 52 and 81.

Thereafter 'the trucks are shifted outwards to the ends of the track lwhere they are automatically locked in place by the latches 35 and 94.Because of the position of the last mentioned latches the trucks holdthe bombs in a position wherein they overlie the door-closed hatches b3and are in readiness to be dropped by suitable bomb dischargingequipment- Should it be desired to spot the bombs in the storagespace b2in connection with a bomb loading operation the latches 52 and 91 may beadjusted outwards or inwards by turning of the screw shaft 68 in thevmanner heretofore described.

The herein described hoisting apparatus is both simple in design andefncient in operation and is characterized by the fact that it handlescargo in a symmetrical manner and without affecting 1 or disturbing thelateral stability or equilibrium of the vehicle with which itisassociated.

Whereas the improved hoisting apparatus has been described in connectionwith a flying boat it is to be understood that it may be used in othertypes of vehicles or elsewhere. It is also to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited or restricted to the details set forthsince these may be modified within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit and the track and each' provided withvertically movl able hoist means, means for conjointly shifting thetrucks to and from one another, latches for releasably locking thetrucks when they are shifted into certain positions on the track, andmeans for conjointly releasing the latches, in-

cluding a pair of solenoids associated with said latches respectively.

2. A hoisting apparatus comprising an overhead track, "a pair of wheelequipped trucks mounted to travel on opposite ends of the track and eachprovided with vertically movable hoist means, means for conjointlyshifting the trucks to and from one another, latches at the extremitiesof the track for releasably locking the trucks in place when they areshifted outwards to said extremities of the track, and means forconjointly releasing the latches, including a pair of solenoidsassociated with said latches respectively.

3. A hoisting apparatus comprising an overhead track, a pair of wheelequipped trucks mounted to travel on opposite ends of the track and eachprovided with 'vertically movable hoist means, means for conjointlyshifting the trucks to and from one another, latches adjacent thecentralportion of the track for releasably locking shifted outwards to saidextremities of the track,4

means for conjointly Vreleasing said latches,

latches adjacent the central portion of the track for releasably lockingthe trucks in place when they a're shifted inwards to said centralportion certain positions on the track, and means forA conjointlyadjusting the latchesrto and from one tween said latches.

6. A hoisting apparatus comprising an over-` head track, a pair oftrucks mounted to travel on aaeaese 10. A hoisting apparatus comprisingan overhead track. a pair of trucks mounted to travel on opposite endsof the track and having vertically movable load carrying hoist blockssuspended therefrom, and latches for locking the blocks thereto whenthey are raised adjacent said trucks, a pair of latches mounted at theextremities of the track for releasably locking the trucks another,including an operative connection beopposite ends of the track and eachprovided with vertically movable hoist means, means for conjointlyshifting the trucks to and from one another, a pairof latches mountedadjacent, and for adjustment longitudinally of, the central portion ofthe track and adapted releasably to lock the trucks when they areshifted inwards to said central portion of the track, means forconjointly releasing the latches, and means for conjointly adjusting thelatches to and from one another,

` including an operative connection between said latches.

7. A hoisting apparatus comprising an overhead track, a pair of Wheelsupported trucks mounted to travel along the track and having verticallymovable load carrying hoist blocks suspended therefrom and in additionlatches for releasably locking the blocks whenthey are raised adjacentthe trucks, means for'conjointly releasing the latches. and means forconjointly shifting the trucks to and from one another.

8. A hoisting apparatus comprising an overhead track, a pair of wheelequipped trucks mounted to travel on the track and each having avertically movable load carrying hoist block suspended therefrom andalso latch means for releasably locking the block thereto when it israised to its fullest extent, means for conjointly releasing the twolatch means, means for conjointly shifting the trucks to and from oneanother, latches for locking the trucks when they are shifted intocertain positions on the track,-

and means for conjointly releasing said latches.

9. A hoisting apparatus comprising an overl head track, a pair oftracksA mounted to travel on opposite ends of the track and each havinga vertically movable load carrying hoist block suspended therefrom, andin addition a latch for releasably locking the block thereto when it israised to its fullest extent, means for conjointly releasing the twoblock locking latches, means for conjointly shifting the trucks to andfrom one another, latches at the extremities of the track for lockingthe trucks when they are shifted to the extremities of the track, meansfor conjoint- 1y releasing the last mentioned latches, latches adjacentthe central portion of the track for releasably locking the trucks inplace when' they are shifted inwards to said centralpo'rtion ofthetrack, and means for conjointly releasing the latch adjacent saidcentral portion of 'the track.

when they are shifted outwards to said extremities of the track, latchesadjacent the central portion of the track for releasably locking thetrucks in place when they are shifted inwards to the central portion ofthe track, and means including a single cable system for lowering orraising the blocks conjointly after the trucks Aare locked in place byeither pair of latches therefor and the latches for locking the blocksto the trucks are released, for shifting the trucks con-r jointlyinwards after the blocks are latched to the trucks and the latches atthe extremities of the tracks are released, and for shifting the ytrucksconjointly outwards after the blocks are latched to the trucks and thelatches adjacent the central portion of the track are released.

11. A. hoisting apparatus adapted for use in connection With a vehicleand comprising an overhead track mounted on the vehicle so that itextends transversely thereof and its mid point is adjacent the center ofthe vehicle, a pair oi' wheel equipped trucks mounted to travel onopposite ends of the track and each provided with vertically movablehoist means, and means for conjointly shifting the trucks to and fromone another while at the same time maintaining the trucks so that theyare spaced equidistantly from the center of the track. 4

12. A hoisting apparatus adapted for use in connection with a vehicleand comprising an overhead track mounted on the vehicle so that itextends transversely thereof and its mid point is adjacent the center ofthe vehicle, a pair of trucks mounted to travel on opposite ends of thetrack and each .provided with vertically movable hoist means, a pair ofstops adapted to limit travel of the trucks along the track, positioned`Jecting into the wing sections, a pair of trucks mountedito travel onthe track back and forth between the central portion thereof and itsends and each provided with vertically movable load carrying hoistmeans, and means for conjointly shifting the trucks to and from oneanother while at the same time maintaining them so that they are spacedequidistantly from`the rack center.

GEORGE E. BooK.

